Mind your maintenance schedule! The average American spends more than two hours a day on household chores. Interior maintenance is the most time-consuming task, with some Americans spending more than two hours a day on it.
There are certain activities you should do every day, and there are others you can do once a season or year. If you want to save time while investing in real estate and keeping your home clean, you should look into annual home maintenance tips.
What maintenance steps can you perform to improve your home safety? How can you reduce your energy bills? When and how should you clean your appliances and drains?
Answer these questions and you can make home maintenance a cinch. Here is your comprehensive home maintenance guide.
Test Your Fire Protection Tools
You should check your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers at least once a month. Follow your manufacturer's instructions so you do this properly.
Your circuit interrupter will break your electric circuit when it detects electric arcs, which can spark fires. If you have the instructions for your interrupter, you can test it by yourself. You can also hire an electrician who can test your interrupter and inspect your electric system for any signs of problems.
Some homes for rent in Charlotte, NC have fire escapes, and you should examine yours once every few months. Make sure you can grip the handrails properly and move down the stairs. You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean them, and you can polish the handrails with a microfiber cloth to remove dust.
Unclog Your Drains
A clogged drain can damage your plumbing system and make it harder to clean your home. You should inspect all of your drains several times a year.
If your drain gets clogged, you should put some boiling water down it. If it's still clogged, you can pour one cup of baking soda down it and then mix in some water and vinegar. Wait a few minutes for the mixture to produce gas and break particles down in your drain.
You can also try using a plunger. Remove the plug over your drain, then let the faucet run until you have an inch of water in your sink or bathtub. Put the plunger over the drain so it forms a complete seal, then pump it up and down for 30 seconds and see if the water drains.
If nothing is working, you can insert a drain snake. You can buy a snake from an online retailer or a Home Depot.
Never pour coffee grounds or fat down the drain. You should depose these materials in your trash and take them outside. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your drains, as you may damage your pipes.
You can clean your garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes. You should then flush the disposal and remove any remaining grime using boiling water and baking soda. Do not use vinegar or acid, as you risk damaging the disposal parts.
Seal Your Windows
Heat gain and heat loss through windows account for 25%-30% of HVAC energy use. Installing weather strips and insulating materials around your windows can keep hot air in during the summertime, meaning you need less energy to heat your home.
You should put strips around all of your windows, especially ones on the upper floors of your house. Heat rises, so these windows are more likely to let hot air out.
If your windows are still leaking air, you should install new ones. Try to find storm windows that will provide protection against hurricanes and rainstorms. You can also install energy-efficient window coverings like insulated cellular shades.
If your windows are broken, you can install new windows with instructions from the window manufacturer. You may need special tools to install your windows, though most windows require a hammer and nails, a caulking gun, and saws.
Deep Clean Your Home
You should do a deep clean every few months or before major events in your home. You should also clean it if you are moving to Charlotte, NC and haven't been in your new home before.
Start by cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces of your home, including the walls and ceilings. Use microfiber cloths instead of paper towels, as cloths can pick up small pieces of debris and will not leave streaks on your walls.
As you're cleaning the surfaces, you may come across things you no longer need. Put them into boxes and give them to a thrift store or donation center.
You can clean your windows by vacuuming the tracks and sills. Spray some glass cleaner on it, let it sit for a minute, then use a squeegee to get it off. You do not need to remove your blinds, but you should vacuum them with your brush attachment.
Move your furniture out of the way so you can clean your floors properly. If you notice dust or fuzz on your furniture, you can clean it outside.
Clean Your Appliances
You should clean your refrigerator and freezer whenever they get empty. Remove all removable parts and wipe them down with hot and soapy water and a clean towel. You should then wipe the inside of the fridge with hot water and dry it with a towel.
You can clean your microwave in a few different ways. If you have some grime and caked-on food in your microwave, you can mix a tablespoon of white vinegar with a cup of water in a bowl and heat the mixture. The steam will soften the grime, and you can remove it with a towel or brush.
If you find the smell of white vinegar too overpowering, you can use a lemon instead. Cut it in half, squeeze the juice into a bowl, and mix it and the sliced halves with water. Place your mixture in the microwave, run it on high for five minutes, then let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping your microwave down with a rag.
To clean your stove top, use a spatula to pry off any caked-on food. You can then wipe the area with soapy water or a household cleaner. If the cleaner isn't working, you can mix baking soda with water and rub the mixture on your stove.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Many people forget about their HVAC system until it breaks down. Your HVAC filters trap air and contaminants, and they can become clogged within a few weeks.
If you notice hair and dust floating through the air, you should inspect your system and replace your filters. You may want to vacuum your vents with a vacuum cleaner, especially if you have a long hose.
Make sure the vents leading out of your home are clear of any objects. Leaves and sticks can get in front of them, preventing air from moving in and out of your system.
Inspect all parts of your system every season. Go outside and look at your exterior unit to see if the parts are lubricated and intact.
You should also examine your furnace and make sure the pilot light is blue. If it is a different color, your flame may not be receiving enough fuel, and the fuel may be leaking.
Ask an HVAC technician to visit your system at least once a year. The oldest your system is, the more inspections and repairs you may need to make. If you find yourself making many repairs on a regular basis, you may want to buy a new system.
Inspect Your Roof
A damaged roof can lead to significant structural problems, including a flood. You should inspect your roof from the street and go on it to get a close look at your materials at least once a year. After a storm, you may want to look at your roof to make sure tree branches didn't fall on it.
If you have missing shingles, you should replace them. Find exact replicas of your old shingles and secure them to your roof using glue and nails.
If you spot mold, you can remove the spores using a mixture of water and bleach. You can also sprinkle trisodium phosphate on the mold. If you cannot remove the mold, you should call a mold removal company, as the spores can spread and damage your home.
You do not have to get your roof replaced if it gets damaged. You can order a roof restoration that will repair the broken materials and leave the undamaged ones in place. A restoration can save you money and keep the aesthetics of your home.
Perform Annual Home Maintenance
Annual home maintenance means many different things. You should install new weather strips around your windows, inspect your roof, and clean your HVAC system every year. However, you may need to unclog your drains or clean your appliances more frequently than that.
Keep supplies on hand so you can make repairs to your windows and roof and clean your surfaces properly. Every month, check your fire alarms and fire escape so you can evacuate during emergencies.
If maintaining your home is difficult, contact property management experts. Bottom Line Property Management serves Charlotte landlords and residents. Contact us today.
